One of the most intriguing and often-reproduced American paintings in the collection of the National Gallery of Art—Deacon Robert Peckham's The Hobby Horse (c. 1840)—is the inspiration for this focus exhibition of nine children's portraits created for patrons among a newly thriving class of Massachusetts merchants and manufacturers in the mid-1800s. The works will be displayed along with a hide-covered rocking horse similar to the one Peckham (1785–1877) depicted in his painting.

Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Schedule: National Gallery of Art, May 27–October 28, 2012

Passes: Passes are not required for this exhibition.

The exhibition is on view in the National Gallery's East Building, Ground Level.

Download the iPad App for Deacon Peckham's Hobby Horse

The Hobby Horse (c. 1840) by Deacon Robert Peckham is one of the most beloved American paintings in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Use the free Deacon Peckham's "Hobby Horse" iPad app to explore an exhibition that brings together nine of Peckham's charming children's portraits along with an exquisite 19th-century rocking horse similar to the one in the painting.

Browse crisp, high-resolution color reproductions of the works in the exhibition. Learn more about Peckham, his career as a self-taught artist, and Massachusetts history from the 1800s through the essay and entries with clickable notes and interactive rollover glossary and images, a timeline of the artist's life and works of art, and more.

Download the iPad App

Download the digital brochure for Deacon Peckham's Hobby Horse

This digital brochure offers full-color reproductions of the nine Peckham works in the exhibition, plus an introductory essay with clickable notes, interactive rollover glossary and images, a timeline of Peckham's life and works of art, and more. (Interactive features available with Acrobat Reader, Version 9 or higher.) Plans include the release of an app for the iPad during the course of the exhibition.

Download the digital brochure (PDF, 4.84MB)
Download Adobe Acrobat 9 or higher